“The Coalition stated that Latinos are not the only ethnic group that has been the focus of hatred. For example, anti-Asian hate crimes have been extensive. This report focuses on hatred towards Latinos because the problem has become more severe since the passage of Proposition 187, which would deny education, health care and social services to undocumented immigrants.
July 1994: A U.S.-born Mexican attempted to cash a check with his teen-age son at a Wilmington bank. The check was drawn on the bank where he was attempting to cash it. He showed his driver’s license to the cashier but was asked for his “green card” and passport. He explained he was born in the United States and therefore didn’t have a “green card.” The bank’s manager and teller rudely insisted that he show some proof that he could “work here in California” and said, “I already told you once, I want a ‘green card.'” The teller told him that she didn’t believe he was an American citizen and refused to cash his check. He was forced to go to a check cashing establishment and pay $36 to cash the check.
November 1994: A security guard at a warehouse store insulted a Los Angeles man with racial slurs, including “F—ing Mexican!”
November 1994: Two young men were involved in a minor car accident in Huntington Park. When the police arrived, they asked the men for their immigration papers, called them “”Pinches mojados,”” told them to “”Go back to Mexico,”” and threatened to deport them.
November 1994: A customer at a large home improvement warehouse store in City of Industry was harassed by security guards in the parking lot who threatened him with a baton and called him a ‘f—ing wetback.” He is a lawful permanent resident who has been in the U.S. for 30 years.
January 1995: A couple went to eat breakfast at a Reseda restaurant chain with an invited guest. Both the busband and wife, who own a bakery, were very well-dressed and were regular customers at the restaurant. They were the only Latino customers at the time. The manager approached their table and told them that they had to show their money before ordering and that if they did not show that they had money, they could not eat there. The couple showed their cash and were asked to show their credit cards. The manager asked to have the credit cards so she could verify them. At that point, the couple left the restaurant, humiliated.
February 1995: A 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Downey was refused entry to a theme park. Security guards at the park told him that “It’s because we don’t like Mexican gangsters.”
March 1995: When an Ontario man went to a doctor’s appointment, the doctor began questioning and insulting him: “If you don’t speak English, what are you doing here? F— immigrants! F— Mexican people! What are they doing here? They should be in their own country. They don’t even want to speak English.””
June 1995: A North Hollywood bus passenger reported that Latinos on her bus route are regularly asked to pay more than the regular fare. The driver frequently requires them to drop more coins in the fare box until he decides they have paid enough—often double the regular fare. In addition, the driver routinely makes Latinos sit in the back of the bus.
August 1995: A 17-year-old Chicano was stopped by a Lynwood sheriff for no apparent reason. When the youth asked the officer why he was stopped, the sheriff told him, “”because I don’t like Mexicans, and you are an ignorant Mexican.”””